Pinay ‘peace warrior’ honored in Qatar

A Maranao Muslim princess became the first Filipino to receive an award from a Qatar-based group that seeks to improve interfaith understanding and religious tolerance.

Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, founder of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), received the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue's Best Individual Award in its 11th incarnation last March.

Joined by Dr Mihai Valentin Vladimirescu, a professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Craiova, Usman was picked out of 130 individuals shortlisted by DICID's committee, according to a report on Qatar Tribune.



“This recognition is not for what I did but for the reasons behind it,” said Usman. “I want to teach peace to build a culture of peace so that our children and youth will be able to live in a just and peaceful society.”

She added: “I strongly believe that peace-building does not end in peace process, it is not just about the absence of war, but peace is a way of life with a whole dimension on developing education, giving importance to values formation, interfaith and intercultural dialogues and immersions, health access and socio-  economic development.”

Usman, who refers to herself as a “Warrior Princess for Peace,” grew up in Saudi Arabia, where she experienced the Gulf War at the age of seven. The Playa Wire reported that her experience in the conflict influenced her to become a peace advocate and a pro-youth campaigner.

As part of the Young Moro Professionals, Usman advocates the involvement of youth in the Bangsamoro peace process in the Philippines.

In an article on Manila Speak, she said younger generations of all backgrounds need to participate in the process, as their actions would ensure the institutions enforcing the law will work for the progress and peace of the new Bangsamoro. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News